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Years ago, I would write little notes while sitting at work in the Movies 12 projection booth. They were to the beautiful girl that years later become my gorgeous wife. They were just to say little things, like I was thinking about her or that I was looking forward to seeing her soon or working out whatever issue we had the last time we were together. We even have some of them still stashed away so that one day, when Tyler is of a similar age, we will share them with him and tell of the love we shared then and continue to share today. That love has never diminished, but has transformed into a great bond that will never die. I rarely write notes to her anymore but show her love in other ways.

Recently, the desire to write little notes has hit me again. But this time, I am compelled to write little notes to Tyler. I know it will be several years before he can read anything, but while sitting here in the Cathay Pacific Lounge on my way to the other side of the world, I want to talk to him. Even though I don’t spend too much time talking to Tasha’s belly (come on, that just feels silly ), I know that a kick or a punch, or a somersault is just a reach away. The thought of not feeling his growing strength for over 2 weeks is going to be tough on me.

Tyler, I can’t wait until you are here, in our arms, with me grinning so wide that I look like a cartoon character. I can’t wait to watch you grow and watch you learn. I can’t wait to feel your boundless energy as you bounce around in your momma’s belly. It may seem like forever to you, but I will be home soon. I love you, buddy…and I still don’t get to meet you for 3 more months!!! Don’t drive your mom too crazy while I’m away! 😉

Melvin “Mel” Carter Peeples was born on September 13, 1932, to Hugh and Mamie Peeples. He passed quietly on January 28, 2012, in the loving presence of his family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty; son Robert; son Alan and his wife Reynalda; son Mark and his wife Susan; grandchildren Duane, Philip (wife Tasha), Kara, Lorien, Gabriel, and Angela (husband George); great-grandchildren Brandon, Damian, and Alyssa.

Mel attended Pampa High School and the University of Texas, graduating in 1955. He met his wife, Betty, in the summer before their freshman year of high school and they were married on January 25, 1953, while attending the University of Texas. After graduation, Mel began his professional life in private practice in Pampa, Texas, raising his family there until 1962. The family then moved to Austin where he was employed by the State of Texas until retiring from the Department of Public Safety in 1993.

Mel was a large and powerful man but his friends and family know that his physical presence was dwarfed by his virtues. He was a loving, caring family man and a trusted, reliable friend to those close to him. He enjoyed a wide range of hobbies – hunting, fishing, model airplanes, photography – but one of the things he most enjoyed was being the fix-it guy for his grandchildren. Mel and Betty also loved to travel to Mexico, making innumerable trips beginning in the ’80s along with their close friends of more than forty years, Bob and Linda Casbeer.

Mel will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

The family would like to give thanks to the staff at St. David’s Hospital, Round Rock Medical Center for their diligent and thoughtful attention to Mel’s needs over his last days.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 2nd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar, Austin.

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And in about 14-16 years, he will HATE that this picture is floating around the web. Oh well…

The first and middle names have no real significant meaning. Just a couple names we thought worked for both of us. But people have already told us that it is a perfect Texas boy name!

We are so excited and can’t wait to meet the little guy. When we told him all about our great family and friends and that he would get to meet them soon, Tasha said she got a punch in the stomach. You know, the kind of excited punch that someone would do when they are super stoked about something? That punch! 😉

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So, some GTO buddies and I went and played Whirlyball yesterday. For those who haven’t played, it is like a mix of lacrosse, basketball, and bumper cars all in one. It could also be used for legal torture because today every muscle in my legs are sore, I have a bruised gut from the seat belt buckle (working on that whole gut thing though), and bruised legs from getting slammed into the side of the car everytime I hit a wall or someone nailed me.

So for 2 hours it was one of the most fun orgainzed games I have played, but today and until I no longer feel it’s lingering effects, I will continue to curse the guys that came up with it!!!

Tasha snapped some photos while we were playing…have a gander!

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We spent Wednesday night through Monday in New Orleans for the first weekend of Carnival season in New Orleans. Everyone was gearing up for Mardi Gras and the town was full of energy, just without the massive crowds that will no doubt be flocking to the city over the next couple days.

Thursday, we checked out the horse races, the French Quarter, a stroll down Bourbon St and had a famous Moss Family fish fry (nom nom nom). It was our first time to the horse races and didn’t do too bad on our betting. We were down $5 on $30, so $5 spent for a couple hours of entertainment was surely worth it.

Friday, we went back down to the Quarter for coffee and beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde, took a stroll around Jackson Square and bought some artwork from the street vendors. Had a Muffuletta and Pimms Cup at The Napoleon House. Grubbed on some Popeyes after watching the evening Uptown parade before catching a show at Tipitina’s Uptown. The band we went to see was “Yo Momma’s Big Fat Booty Band“. They were pretty fun funk band. I highly recommend catching them if they ever swing through your town. The headliners were Leo Nocentelli (Guitarist of The Meters) with Bill Dickens (Bass for Janet Jackson), CR Gruver (keyboards), Jamal Batiste (drums) with special guest Art Neville of the Meters and the Neville Brothers. They rocked the house too and Bill Dickens plays a MEAN bass guitar!!!

Saturday was a pretty lazy day of chillin’ in our parade spot along St. Charles for the 3 Saturday Uptown parades. Munched on homemade crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice all day. Ended the night at Rock N Bowl to catch a Kermit Ruffins concert. For people that don’t keep up with the New Orleans music scene, you may recognize Kermit Ruffins from his role as himself in HBOs series Treme about post-Katrina New Orleans. He sure can put on a show. He played for a good 2 to 2.5 hours. He sure can blow that trumpet! and his piano player was INSANE! Tasha got her picture taken with Kermit and got a couple CDs autographed.

Sunday we got up early for the 2 Uptown parades and lounged around resting before stuffing our faces with some good ol’ New Orleans cuisine at Upperline Restaurant.

Monday we got up to see Rae, Darwin, and Laura off and then BJ and Jim took us to Destrahan Plantation for a tour and then drove us around the area before dropping us at the airport for our flight home.

Pictures from the long weekend are below. Click on the slideshow to go to the full album.

Enjoy the pics. It was the first full-time camera duty I have experienced with my new iPhone 4 (yeah, yeah…that will get it’s own post soon) and I was pretty impressed. Some were taken with the Hipstamatic app for retro-type photos. With the grittiness of the area and the retro look from the App, it made for a pretty neat effect.

Click on the slideshow to take you to Photobucket where the pics are actually in order…